Aspiring HR Professional Seeking Book and Magazine Recommendations for Job Interviews

Hi, I am Dinesh Kumar. I am doing an MBA in HR. Can anybody suggest what I should read to enhance my knowledge in HR, which can help me in interviews? I also want to know what I should learn to get a job in HR. Can anybody suggest a good magazine, book, or provide me with a PDF file?

Thanks,
Dinesh Kumar

Dear Dinesh,

I would suggest you to go through monthly magazines published by ISB (Indian School of Business, Hyderabad). Additionally, I recommend reading a few books such as "HR and Personnel Management" by Saiyyadin and "HR and Training Needs Identification" by Parkekh.

In addition to these resources, I encourage you to explore HR columns written by professionals in Times Ascent, a weekly newspaper published by Times. Furthermore, consider visiting some companies during your vacation to observe firsthand how HR departments function in typical manufacturing companies and the challenges faced by HR professionals.

Meanwhile, it would be beneficial to read leadership and people development books as a HR professional should possess tremendous interpersonal skills and a dynamic personality. To enhance your knowledge and expertise in the field, I suggest keeping a handy HR practices handbook published by Pearson India.

Regards,
Raju Prasad

I do endorse the nice suggestions given by Mr. Rajuprasad. It is good that you aspire to improve your knowledge, which is necessary for every professional. Our study does not end with our education in college. In college, we get only a few glimpses of the vast vista of knowledge. Our real study begins only when we come to face the stark realities of life. Learning has to be a continuous process. If we want to keep on living, we have to keep on learning. Also, knowledge is knowledge only when it is current. If we do not have updated knowledge, how can we claim to have knowledge on the domain we claim to be masters and experts.

One specific suggestion I will give you is to subscribe to one economic daily or a business magazine. Keep reading regularly. In a few years, you will be a rare expert on economics, business, management, and HR, wherever you go.

R. Sundararajan

Enhancing HR Knowledge Through Books and Experience

My suggestion is that reading books will provide you with enough knowledge, but sharing experiences with others and understanding people's emotions and psychology will give you more confidence in handling people in a smoother way.

Thanks for those useful links, LEO. I hope they'll surely help people like me, a beginner, to gather lots of information. Do they help in understanding the recent trends and HR practices followed nowadays?

Thanks all.

I would like to know the role progression in HR. Initially, when you start off, it's HR, then Senior HR Executive... what's next? Is it HR-TL or HR Manager?

Thanks to all for sharing such valuable information. I want to ask Mr. Raju Prasad where I can get the magazines published by ISB. I am located in Delhi.

Thanks,
Dinesh Kumar

Gaining Practical HR Experience

To become an excellent HR professional, start by working for free with any HR professional in your city. Theoretical knowledge is nothing compared to practical experience.

Regards